Concrete Innovations: Sustainable Solutions for North Miami's Future

The Need for Green Concrete

Concrete production is traditionally both resource-intensive and very harmful to the environment, specifically contributing significantly to global carbon emissions. In addition to this, North Miami has other environmental factors to contend with, including:

• Coastal vulnerabilities associated with rising sea levels
• Urban temperature increases
• Stormwater management problems

Fortunately, the concrete industry is evolving rapidly to resolve many of the aforementioned issues.

Permeable Concrete: Stormwater Management Without Traditional Systems

For flood-prone communities such as North Miami, permeable concrete is a major advancement in stormwater management.

• Water passes through the concrete, decreasing the amount of surface runoff and assisting in recharging groundwater.
• Decreases the urban heat island effect.

Applications for permeable concrete:

• Parking lots
• Walkways
• Driveways

North Miami Concrete Pros has installed permeable concrete in several local projects, most recently the renovation of the North Miami Community Center parking lot.

Carbon-Capturing Concrete: Building for a Changing Environment

Technologies have emerged that allow for the conversion of concrete from being a contributor of greenhouse gases to one that captures carbon:

• Carbon capture is integrated into the curing process
• Reduced carbon footprint from construction
• Increased strength of the concrete

Although still in the early stages, we will continue to follow these technologies and provide carbon-capturing concrete as they develop and become commercially available.

Self-Healing Concrete: Increasing Infrastructure Lifespan

Imagine concrete that repairs itself after cracking:

• Bacteria are added to the concrete to form limestone when exposed to water.
• Increases the lifespan of the structure and decreases maintenance needs.
• Will be very effective in our coastal area due to the humidity and proximity to the ocean.

We believe there are opportunities for self-healing concrete for the major infrastructure in North Miami, including seawalls and bridge supports.

Photocatalytic Concrete: Purifying the Air We Breathe

This innovative concrete will clean the air around it by:

• Titanium dioxide, which breaks down pollutants when exposed to sunlight, is contained within the photocatalytic concrete.
• Decreases the pollution in urban areas.
• Will keep the surface of the concrete cleaner for a longer period of time.

Possible uses for photocatalytic concrete in North Miami include:

• Sound barriers on highways
• Walkways in high-traffic areas
• Facades on buildings

Geopolymer Concrete: A Low-Carbon Alternative

Geopolymer concrete replaces Portland cement, used in traditional concrete, with industrial by-products:

• Lower carbon footprint than traditional concrete
• Resistant to chemicals
• Performance is excellent in marine environments.

Makes geopolymer concrete a suitable alternative for North Miami’s coastal structures.

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC): Achieving More with Less

Ultra-High Performance Concrete has incredible strength and durability:

• Thinner, lighter structures can be created using UHPC.
• The service life of structures made with UHPC will be increased, resulting in less need for replacements.
• Highly resistant to chloride penetration, which will be especially beneficial in North Miami’s coastal environment.

We see a large opportunity for the use of UHPC in the creation of bridges, high-rise buildings, and coastal defense structures in North Miami.

3D Printed Concrete: A New Way of Building

Technology for 3D printing is entering the world of concrete construction:

• Waste and labor cost reductions.
• Complex designs can be created with precision.
• Opportunity for rapid deployment in post-disaster reconstruction.

Although still in the emergence stage, this technology will change how we view and create certain types of projects in North Miami, specifically, creating affordable and resilient housing.

Sustainable Concrete in North Miami

As we encounter challenges from climate change and urbanization, the new sustainable concrete innovations are providing hope for a sustainable, environmentally friendly future. North Miami Concrete Pros is proud to be at the leading edge of this green revolution in construction.

Sustainable concrete options can assist property owners and developers in North Miami by:

• Reducing the environmental footprint of the development
• Increasing the lifespan and performance of the development
• Possibly receiving financial incentives for “green” development
• Assisting in the creation of a more sustainable and resilient community

A Sustainable Partner in North Miami

Regardless of whether you’re developing a new project or updating an existing structure, North Miami Concrete Pros is your partner in sustainable concrete solutions. Our knowledgeable staff can help guide you through the different options and help you determine the best cutting-edge concrete technologies for your specific needs.